Niosomal Gel Formulation Research Articles

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NIOSOMAL GEL CONTAINING ACYCLOVIR BY USING DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTS

The current study aims to design, optimize, and assess the niosomal gel containing acyclovir for topical application. Compatibility analysis was carried out to assess potential interactions, using techniques such as FT-IR spectroscopy and DSC thermal analysis. The niosomal suspension was created, optimized, and assessed using a 32 - factorial design. The overlay plot indicates that the F3 formulation was optimized with a 300:20 tween 80 and cholesterol ratio. The improved niosomal solution has been introduced into a gel made of carbopol and thoroughly analyzed for pH, viscosity, spreadability, and in vitro drug release characteristics. The study results demonstrated that the niosomal gel formulation exhibited a sustained release of acyclovir over a 24-hour period. The drug release data was assessed, and the findings unveiled that the medication release from the gel formulation complies with Korsmeyer peppas model. The optimized formulation's stability was demonstrated at various temperatures. The present investigation suggested that the niosome gel formulation (F3) could be a promising vesicular approach for effectively administering acyclovir via topical application.

PREFORMULATION STUDIES OF NIOSOMAL GEL CONTAINING DIPIVEFRIN HYDROCHLORIDE FOR ANTIGLAUCOMATIC ACTIVITY

Objective: The present study was focused on developing and characterizing niosomal gel formulations for ocular controlled delivery of an adrenergic agonist; dipivefrin HCl. In the present study, the pre-formulation studies are showed towards the development of Novel formulation. Methods: Preformulation studies of drug were carried out for identification (physical appearance, melting point and UV spectrophotometric analysis), solubility profile, lipophilicity (Partition Coefficient), compatibility studies by FTIR and thermal behavior by DSC. Results: The melting point of dipivefrin HCl was found to be 147.6±3 °C. The log P value was found to be 3.14±0.02, from which it can be interpreted that drug is highly lipophilic in nature. The scanned λmax were found to be 254 nm. No significant changes were found when FTIR spectra of the physical mixture compared with FTIR spectra of pure drug and excipients. This indicates absence of any possible interaction between the drug and excipients which confirms the identity and purity of drug. DSC thermogram of pure drug showed a sharp exothermic peak at 131.202 °C (area=1726.267 mJ, delta H=575.422 J/g), indicating the crystal melting point of the drug. Conclusion: These results suggest that the dipivefrin HCl serve as suitable candidate for ocular drug delivery system.

Development of Niosomal Vesicles Loaded Mometasone Furoate Gel for Transdermal Delivery and its Evaluation.

Mometasone Furoate (MF) is a corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) used to treat eczema, psoriasis, allergies, and rash on the skin; also used to reduce itching, redness, and swelling (inflammation). It has been reported that the bioavailability of MF is less than 11% when given via the nasal route. Encapsulating the drug in niosomes can improve the active pharmaceutical ingredient's bioavailability by enhancing both physical and biological stability. The goal of the study is to develop, a non-ionic surfactant-based vesicular system, by loading mometasone furoate, and introducing it into a gel-based formulation by utilizing an appropriate gelling agent, and performing its evaluation. The niosome vesicle was prepared by vacuum rotary evaporation method (Thin film hydration method). Gel was prepared using the dispersion method and in-vitro drug diffusion studies using Franz-diffusion cells. According to the results of the experiments conducted for the study, Mometasone Furoate niosomal gel was prepared utilizing Mometasone Furoate niosomes that were made using the thin film hydration process, Cholesterol, and Span 60, and loaded in various amounts of Carbopol as a geling agent. The niosomes' zeta potential was found to be -24 mV, showing that the formulation is stable. The polydispersity index (PDI) was found to be 0.409 and the average size of niosomes to be 252.7 nm. The performance of the gel of the optimized formulations containing 2% Carbopol showed in vitro diffusion for 7 hours and an increased flux rate as compared to the plain MF. The experiments carried out during the study led to the conclusion that the thin-film hydration method was suitable for the formation of the MF-niosomes by using Span 60 and Cholesterol (2:1). The gel formulation containing 2% Carbopol indicated better in vitro diffusion following the Higuchi model across all niosomal gel formulations. Niosomal gel can be regarded as the best vesicular carrier for the efficient distribution of mometasone furoate via the transdermal route.

Niosomes based formulation containing tenoxicam: A newer solution for the rheumatic diseases

This investigation aimed to explore the potential of non-ionic surfactant based niosomal vesicles encapsulating tenoxicam (TN; anti-rheumatic drug) for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Mechanical dispersion technique with controlled pressure was employed to prepare different niosomal formulations. The effects of different ratios of surfactant (span-60), lipid, and sodium deoxycholate on noisome's physicochemical properties have been examined. Moreover, inhibition of TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide-activated cultured Human leukemia monocytic (THP-1) cells were demonstrated to assess the in vitro inflammation profile. Finally, the optimized niosomal formulation (TN3) was prepared in gel matrix consist of carbopol 934 (termed as TN34) and stability was also tested at 4±2̊C, 25±2̊C, 37±2̊C and 45±2̊C for 6months. The optimized niosomal formulation exhibited a small vesicle size (165±14nm) and high drug encapsulation (79.64±1.5%). Niosomal gel formulation TN34 showed pH (6.7), viscosity (6810±3.34cps), spreadability (19.11±1.87gm.cm/sec) and also displayed sustained release pattern of drug release (98.16±0.07% TN released from gel matrix in 24h) in vitro release study. TN34 exhibited substantial anti-inflammatory response, with ∼75% inhibition of TNF-α in 48h. Stability investigation revealed that refrigerator temperature is most suitable for the storage of niosomal gel. Transdermal niosomal formulation displayed promising potential in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NIOSOMAL GEL OF AZELAIC ACID FOR ANTIACNE ACTIVITY

Objective: This study aimed to develop niosomes loaded with azelaic acid (AA) to administer in gel form. The primary objective was to achieve controlled and sustained release of the drug while minimizing potential side effects. Methods: Niosomes were fabricated using a combination of various non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol through the application of thin film hydration technique. Furthermore, the processing parameters were optimized and drug excipient compatibility study was conducted using FTIR spectroscopy. The formulations were extensively characterized in terms of entrapment efficiency, particle size, shape, and in vitro release. Subsequently, the improved niosomal dispersions were employed to formulate gels, which underwent analysis to evaluate their visual properties, pH, and rheological behavior. Stability study was also conducted. Results: Total 15 formulations were prepared, out of which 3 formulations F3, F9 and F15 were found to exhibit maximum entrapment efficiency. These formulation were having particle size 260.1 nm, 272.3 nm and 226.3 nm respectively. In vitro drug release was found to be maximum in F9 formulation. The release was found to be dose-dependent across all formulations, with regression values between 0.97 and 0.99, confirming first-order release kinetics. FTIR spectra indicated the absence of any drug-cholesterol-nonionic surfactant interaction in the formulation. The niosomal gel formulations exhibited optimal performance when stored within the temperature range of 4 to 8 °C. Conclusion: This investigation demonstrates the utility of the thin film hydration technique in effectively incorporating poorly water-soluble medications such as azelaic Acid (AA) into niosomes, resulting in high entrapment efficiency. These findings suggest that niosomes containing AA, when topically applied as a gel, have the potential to be an efficacious treatment for acne.

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF LULICNAZOLE NIOSOMAL TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

According to earlier research, using niosomes as drug carriers, particularly for antifungal drugs, produces greater results than using alternative carriers. Niosomes has the capacity to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic pharmaceuticals, as well as their prolonged stability in circulation. This work aimed to prepare and evaluate luliconazole niosomal gel for antifungal activity. In this study, niosomes containing luliconazole were prepared by thin film hydration technique using non-ionic surfactant (Span 60 and Tween 80) and cholesterol at different concentrations. The prepared formulations were evaluated for optical microscopy, drug entrapment efficiency, drug content, in-vitro drug release study, and stability studies. The ratio 2:1 of span 60 and cholesterol showed better results. Hence it was optimized as the final vesicle formulation. The FTIR study concluded there was no interaction between Luliconazole and any of the excipients. The niosomes gel was evaluated for various parameters of all the formulations. The 1% Carbopol 934 gel shows the best and most promising results. The niosomal gel formulation could be a useful dosage form to increase efficacy by the transdermal route. The potential of a secure and efficient therapy for difficult clinical applications is made possible by the development of niosomes with target specificity. Therefore, niosomes gel may be considered the best vesicular carrier for the effective delivery of luliconazole through the skin.

Quality-by-Design-Assisted Optimization of Carvacrol Oil-Loaded Niosomal Gel for Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy by Topical Route.

Niosomes are multilamellar vesicles that effectively transfer active ingredients into the skin's layers. To improve the active substance's penetration across the skin, these carriers are frequently utilized as topical drug delivery systems. Essential oils (EOs) have garnered significant interest in the field of research and development owing to their various pharmacological activities, cost-effectiveness, and simple manufacturing techniques. However, these ingredients undergo degradation and oxidation over time, leading to a loss of functionality. Niosome formulations have been developed to deal with these challenges. The main goal of this work was to create a niosomal gel of carvacrol oil (CVC) to improve its penetration into the skin for anti-inflammatory actions and stability. By changing the ratio of drug, cholesterol and surfactant, various formulations of CVC niosomes were formulated using Box Behnken Design (BBD). A thin-film hydration technique using a rotary evaporator was employed for the development of niosomes. Following optimization, the CVC-loaded niosomes had shown: 180.23 nm, 0.265, -31.70 mV, and 90.61% of vesicle size, PDI, zeta potential, and EE%. An in vitro study on drug release discovered the rates of drug release for CVC-Ns and CVC suspension, which were found to be 70.24 ± 1.21 and 32.87 ± 1.03, respectively. The release of CVC from niosomes best fit the Higuchi model, and the Korsmeyer-Peppas model suggests that the release of the drug followed the non-Fickian diffusion. In a dermatokinetic investigation, niosome gel significantly increased CVC transport in the skin layers when compared to CVC-conventional formulation gel (CVC-CFG). Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of rat skin exposed to the rhodamine B-loaded niosome formulation showed a deeper penetration of 25.0 µm compared to the hydroalcoholic rhodamine B solution (5.0 µm). Additionally, the CVC-N gel antioxidant activity was higher than that of free CVC. The formulation coded F4 was selected as the optimized formulation and then gelled with carbopol to improve its topical application. Niosomal gel underwent tests for pH determination, spreadability, texture analysis, and CLSM. Our findings imply that the niosomal gel formulations could represent a potential strategy for the topical delivery of CVC in the treatment of inflammatory disease.

Qbd-Based Approach to Optimize Niosomal Gel of Levosulpiride for Transdermal Drug Delivery.

Poor aqueous solubility besides extensive hepatic first effect significantly decreases the oral absorption of levosulpiride, which in turn minimizes its therapeutic effectiveness. Niosomes have been extensively investigated as a transdermal vesicular nanocarrier to increase the delivery of low permeable compounds into and across the skin. This research work was to design, develop and optimize levosulpiride-loaded niosomal gel and to evaluate its prospects for transdermal delivery. The Box-Behnken design was used to optimize niosomes by analyzing the impact of three factors (cholesterol; X1, Span 40; X2, and sonication time; X3) on the responses (particle size, Y1, and entrapment efficiency, Y2). Optimized formulation (NC) was incorporated into gel and evaluated for pharmaceutical properties, drug release study, ex vivo permeation, and in vivo absorption. The design experiment data suggest that all three independent variables influence both response variables significantly (p < 0.01). Pharmaceutical characteristics of NC vesicles showed the absence of drug excipient interaction, nanosize (~102.2 nm), narrow distribution (~0.218), adequate zeta potential (-49.9 mV), and spherical shape, which are suitable for transdermal therapy. The levosulpiride release rates varied significantly (p < 0.01) between niosomal gel formulation and control. Greater flux (p < 0.01) was observed with levosulpiride-loaded niosomal gel than with control gel formulation. Indeed, the drug plasma profile of niosomal gel was significantly higher (p < 0.005), with ~3 folds higher Cmax and greater bioavailability (~500% higher; p < 0.0001) than its counterpart. Overall, these findings imply that the use of an optimized niosomal gel formulation can increase the therapeutic efficacy of levosulpiride and may represent a promising alternative to conventional therapy.

Formulation and Evaluation of Azithromycin-Loaded Niosomal Gel: Optimization, In Vitro Studies, Rheological Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Study.

Several novel, innovative approaches for improving transdermal delivery of BCS class III drugs have been proposed. Despite their great aqueous solubility, BCS class III drugs have the drawback of limited permeability. The objective of the current work was to screen the suitability of niosomes as a nanocarrier in permeation enhancement of azithromycin (AZM) transdermal delivery. Niosomes were prepared by an ether injection method using a nonionic surfactant (Span 60) and cholesterol at different concentrations. The ζ potential (ZP), polydispersity index (PDI), and particle size (PS) of AZM-loaded niosomes were evaluated. The size of the niosomes was found to vary between 288 and 394 nm. The results revealed that the niosomes prepared in a ratio of 2:1 (Span 60: cholesterol) had larger vesicle sizes, but all of them were characterized by narrow size distributions (PDI <0.95). Niosomal gel was successfully prepared using different polymers. The appearance, pH, viscosity, and ex vivo drug release of niosomal gel formulations were all examined. The flow curves showed that the niosomal gel displayed lower viscosity values than its corresponding conventional gels. Niosomal and conventional gels exhibited a domination of the elastic modulus (G') over the viscous modulus (G″) (G'>G″) in the investigated frequency range (0.1-100 rad/s), indicating stable gels with more solid-like properties. Ex vivo skin permeation studies for the niosomal gel show 90.83 ± 3.19% of drug release in 24 h as compared with the conventional gel showing significantly lower (P < 0.001) drug release in the same duration (1.25 ± 0.12%). Overall, these results indicate that niosomal gel could be an effective transdermal nanocarrier for enhancing the permeability of AZM, a BCS class III drug. In conclusion, this study suggests that transdermal formulations of AZM in the niosomal gel were successfully developed and could be used as an alternative route of administration.

Development, Characterization and in Vitro–In Vivo Evaluation of Farnesol Loaded Niosomal Gel for Applications in Oral Candidiasis Treatment

The aim of the study was to formulate and characterize the farnesol loaded niosomes comprising gel formulation and their in vitro–in vivo evaluation for applications in the treatment of oral candidiasis infections. Various gelling systems were evaluated for their stability and rheological properties. The nano-formulation was statistically optimized using Box-Behnken experimental design method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the surface morphology of the niosomes. Centrifugation method and dialysis method were used to find out the % entrapment efficiency (%EE) and in-vitro release of Farnesol from the niosomes, respectively. In-vitro antifungal effect of the Farnesol loaded niosomal gel was also performed using Candida albicans (C. albicans) as the model organism. The skin irritation study was performed on rabbit skin. Farnesol loaded niosomes were integrated into polymeric gel solution. The optimized formulation displayed acceptable % entrapment efficiencies (>80%) and an optimum particle size (168.8 nm) along with a sustained release up to 3 days and was found to be stable over a period of 6 months. TEM observation revealed a spherical shape morphology of the niosomes. The high antibacterial efficacy found in vitro, after treatment with the farnesol niosomal gels in comparison with the plain farnesol solution. For skin irritation test, niosomal gel formulation was found to be nontoxic and non-irritant to the rabbit skin. The resultant formulation demonstrated promising in-vitro biocompatibility and antifungal efficacy, signifying their potential application as a gel preparation to overcome candida infections caused by C. albicans fungal strains. This novel formulation can be employed for making oral candidiasis healing process more efficient while improving patient compliance.

Thin-layer hydration method to prepare a green tea extract niosomal gel and its antioxidant performance

Abstract This study aimed to prepare a niosomal gel of green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract containing catechins, mostly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (ECGC), as a potent antioxidant. Niosomes can increase EGCG's stability and penetration into the skin for a better therapeutic effect. Niosomes were prepared by a thin-layer hydration method, were evaluated for their vesicle shape, particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency, and then incorporated into gels using sodium alginate as a gelling agent. Three niosomal gel formulations were prepared with different concentrations of niosomes green tea extract. Afterwards, organoleptic properties, chemical and physical characteristics, antioxidant activity, and stability and irritability of the niosomal gels were investigated. The different concentrations of green tea extract had a significant effect on the physical characteristics, but not on the chemical ones. Its antioxidant activity was determined using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging method. The 50% extract green tea niosomes gel showed the highest inhibition value (25.13%). The stability was determined by freeze–thaw and real-time methods; they showed a decrease in pH, but still within the pH range of skin. The irritability test used was the Hen's Egg Test-Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM) method, which showed no irritation for all formulas. In conclusion, 50% green tea extract niosomes gel results showed it to be the best formulation with optimal antioxidant results.

QUALITY BY DESIGN APPROACH FOR DEVELOPMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF NITRENDIPINE LOADED NIOSOMAL GEL FOR ACCENTUATED TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY

Objective: The purpose of the present investigation was to develop and optimize nitrendipine loaded niosomal gel for transdermal delivery using quality by design approach.&#x0D; Methods: Niosomal formulations were developed by application of the thin-film hydration method using different ratios of span 60, cholesterol, temperature, and optimized by three factors-three levels Box-Behnken statistical design. The independent variables were non-ionic surfactant, cholesterol, and temperature, while vesicle size, polydispersity index, and entrapment efficiency were dependent variables. The nitrendipine loaded optimized formulation was incorporated into gel and evaluated for in vitro release, ex-vivo skin permeation, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and histopathological studies.&#x0D; Results: The optimized formulation showed the vesicular size of 226.1±4.36 nm, polydispersity index of 0.282±0.012, and entrapment efficiency of 95.34±3.18% with spherical morphology. The optimized niosomal gel formulation showed transdermal flux 127.60 µg/cm2h through albino Wistar rat skin. Niosomal gel was proved significantly superior by confocal laser scanning microscopy for satisfactory permeation and distribution of gel, deep into the rat skin. Furthermore, dermal safety was confirmed by histopathological studies for transdermal application.&#x0D; Conclusion: It was concluded that the developed niosomal gel overcomes the limitation of low penetration through rat skin and could be a potential nano vesicular system for transdermal delivery.

DEVELOPMENT AND CLINICAL EVALUATION OF TOPICAL HYDROQUINONE NIOSOMAL GEL FORMULATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF MELASMA

Objective: The goal of the present study was to develop niosomal gel as a nanocarrier for improved depigmentation effect of hydroquinone (HQ). As well as to evaluate the prepared niosomes for entrapment efficiency, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential, and in vitro release study. As an ultimate point of the objectives was to evaluate the best-prepared niosomal gel formula clinically in well-diagnosed patients of melasma and the results were compared with a commercial product.&#x0D; Methods: The effect of incorporation of co-surfactant such as Tween 20, Tween 40, and Tween 60 with Span 80, was studied to determine the highest entrapment efficiency and the desired release rate. Niosomes showed the highest entrapment efficiency was incorporated in different gelling agents like Carbopol 934 and Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (CMC Na) with different concentrations. Accelerated stability testing of HQ from niosomal gel formulations; the expiry date t90 was estimated. The best-prepared niosomal gel formula was studied clinically in patients of melasma and the results were compared with the commercial product (Clearique 2%)®Delta Pharma Company. &#x0D; Results: There was a significant increase in the clinical efficacy of the niosomal therapy and a highly significant decrease regarding to modified melasma area and severity index (MASI), duration to achieve improvement, side effects, and the recurrence of melasma in patients treated with niosomal gel compared to the commercial product.&#x0D; Conclusion: The incorporation of hydroquinone in niosomal gel improves its therapeutic effect regarding clinical effect, duration of treatment, side effects, recurrence and patient compliance.

Development and Characterization of Niosomal Gel System using Lallementia royaleana Benth. mucilage for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Niosomes structural framework comprises of non-ionic surfactant-based microscopic lamellar structures which carries the potential to sustain the effect of drug from its delivery system. In present work, the attempt was made to identify the effect of different ingredients such as effect of Tweens and natural mucilage of Lallemantia royaleana Benth. on the performance of developed niosomal gel formulations in order to prolong the duration of action of drug and to minimize its side effects of topical conventional drug administration. All Ibuprofen loaded niosomes formulationswere prepared by ether injection method; using cetosteryl alcohol with different variants of Tweens and Spans. Various evaluation parameters were performed to confirm niosome formation. Further, the niosomes were incorporated into gel system and evaluated for in-vitro permeability study (ex-vivo) on excised rat skin by membrane diffusion method and in-vivo study by carrageenan induced rat paw edema model. The best selected niosome formulation F9 gave no sedimentation, layer separation and unchanged particle shapes and thus selected for gel preparation using Lallemantia royaleana Benth. mucilage and carbopol in different ratios. Ex-vivo and in-vivo studies indicated high skin retention and penetration rates within the skin for tests niosomal gel formulations (G1 & G2). The present study suggested that developed topical gel formulation provides enhance permeability and longer duration of drug action over conventional gels.

Formulation and investigation of pilocarpine hydrochloride niosomal gels for the treatment of glaucoma: intraocular pressure measurement in white albino rabbits

The present study was focused on investigating niosomal gels loaded with cholinergic drug; pilocarpine HCl, for prolonged precorneal residence time and improved bioavailability for glaucoma treatment. Pilocarpine HCl niosomes were prepared using various nonionic surfactants (span 20, span 60 and span 80), in the presence of cholesterol in different molar ratios by ether injection method. The selected formulations were incorporated into carbopol 934 and locust bean gum-based gels. TEM analysis confirmed that niosomes formed were spherical in shape and has a definite internal aqueous space with uniform particle size. Formulation F4 composed of span 60 and cholesterol (1:1) gave the highest entrapment (93.26 ± 1.75%) and slower release results after 8 hours (Q8h = 60.35 ± 1.87%) among other formulations. The in-vitro drug permeation studies showed that there was a prolonged release of drug from niosomal gels as compared to niosomes itself. Considering the in-vitro drug release, niosomal gel formulation G2 was the best among the studied formulations. The release data were fitted to an empirical equation, which indicated that the release follows non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. The stability study revealed that incorporation of niosomes in gel increased their stability than the niosome itself. No signs of redness, inflammation, swelling or increased tear production were observed over the study period for tested formulation by Draize’s test. The intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering activity of G2 formulation showed relative bioavailability 2.64 times more than bioavailability of marketed Pilopine HS® gel. These results suggest that the niosomal gels containing pilocarpine HCl are promising ocular carriers for glaucoma treatment.

Advanced development of a non-ionic surfactant and cholesterol material based niosomal gel formulation for the topical delivery of anti-acne drugs

The aim of the present investigation was to develop adapalene (ADP), a high lipophilicity and low solubility anti-acne drug-loaded niosomal topical gel formulation, in order to improve its therapeutic efficacy.

Development and investigation of timolol maleate niosomal formulations for the treatment of glaucoma

The objective of the present study was to develop niosomal gels loaded with Timolol Maleate (TM), Non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, for prolonged duration and improved bioavailability for glaucoma treatment. TM niosomes were prepared by film hydration method with various mixtures of different non-ionic surfactants including Span 20, 40, 60 and Tween 20, 40, along with cholesterol. The prepared vesicles were evaluated for entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release, particle size, zeta potential and morphology by optical and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The selected formulations were incorporated into Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC Na) and Carbopol 934 gels. Gel formulations were characterized for in vitro drug permeation and ex vivo drug permeation through bovine cornea. In addition, stability study, isotonicity test and in-vivo evaluation of the selected formulations were done. The results showed that, the niosomes formed were white and spherical in shape with uniform particle size. Formulations containing span 60 and that containing mixture of span 60 and tween 40 gave the highest entrapment efficiency (94.6% and 98.8%, respectively) and a sustained release of timolol maleate from the niosomes within 24 h (96% and 97.10%, respectively). The in vitro and ex vivo drug release studies showed that there was a slow and prolonged release of drug from niosomal gel formulations. Considering the in-vitro release, niosomal gel formulae GN5 and GN6 (containing CMC Na 3% w/w) were the best among the studied formulations. Draize test was carried out and the intra-ocular pressure lowering activity of prepared formulations were detected and compared with marketed Timogel. Formula containing 3% CMC Na showed relative bioavailability 1.6 times more than bioavailability of marketed Timogel.

Thiocolchicoside Niosomal Gel Formulation for the Pain Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis through Topical Drug Delivery

Thiocolchicoside Niosomal Gel Formulation for the Pain Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis through Topical Drug Delivery

Etodolac Containing Topical Niosomal Gel: Formulation Development and Evaluation.

The present study aimed to investigate the delivery potential of Etodolac (ETD) containing topical niosomal gel. Niosomal formulations were prepared by thin film hydration method at various ratios of cholesterol and Span 60 and were evaluated with respect to particle size, shape, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro characteristics. Dicetyl phosphate (DCP) was also added in the niosomal formulation. Mean particle size of niosomal formulation was found to be in the range of 2 μm to 4 μm. Niosomal formulation N2 (1 : 1) ratio of cholesterol and surfactant displayed good entrapment efficiency (96.72%). TEM analyses showed that niosomal formulation was spherical in shape. Niosomal formulation (N2) displayed high percentage of drug release after 24 h (94.91) at (1 : 1) ratio of cholesterol : surfactant. Further selected niosomal formulation was used to formulate topical gel and was characterized with respect to its various parameters such as pH, viscosity, spreadability, ex vivo study, and in vivo potential permeation. Ex vivo study showed that niosomal gel possessed better skin permeation study than the plain topical gel. Further in vivo study revealed good inhibition of inflammation in case of topical niosomal gel than plain gel and niosomal formulation. The present study suggested that topical niosomal gel formulations provide sustained and prolonged delivery of drug.

Performance of Meloxicam Niosomal Gel Formulations for Transdermal Drug Delivery

Performance of Meloxicam Niosomal Gel Formulations for Transdermal Drug Delivery